A Paradigm Shift (Or is it An Application Challenge)
It seems that every year there are more and more PC words that creep into our language. The old buzz words are no longer any good. We need new ways to say the same old things. “There is nothing new under the sun.”
On this momentous Professional Assistants Day I wanted to take time to reflect on some of those PC changes. First, of course, is the day itself. You used to be able to say “secretary” without it being a derogatory term. I’m not sure exactly what lead to the word “secretary” being a bad word – but that’s history now, I suppose. I mean, what do we have on the cabinet of the United States? The “Professional Assistant of Defense?”
Sometimes we go too far with all this word-smithing. Of course we should be conscious about words and expressions that crept into our language that may be les than flattering to certain people around us. But we seem simultaneously eager to avoid use of certain words and at the same time use the PC terms to slander and belittle people. Does that make sense to anyone? I grew up as a kraut. Both my parents came from Germany before I was born. I’m proud of my heritage as I assume most people are. I’m also aware of the fact that in the 50’s it was still too close to WWII for families to appreciate anything German. Somehow I survived.
The sad part is that we tend to force these terms on society through the schools. Exactly what is a “disenfranchised student?” The word means “to deprive of voting privileges.” What voting rights do students have? For that matter what voting rights do some students have that others don’t? We stretch the language and twist it to make it mean things that were never intended.
Not to loose the moment, I want to thank those people who work tirelessly (well some do get tired, I suppose) to type, file, spell-check (VERY important), and generally keep the rest of us in line. You could call them “work-place-mommies” for the amount of support and effort that is performed. I, for one, appreciate it very much. So enjoy the day! You’ve earned it. Whatever it’s called.
And, I’m not phat! I simply have an alcohol enriched torso.
On this momentous Professional Assistants Day I wanted to take time to reflect on some of those PC changes. First, of course, is the day itself. You used to be able to say “secretary” without it being a derogatory term. I’m not sure exactly what lead to the word “secretary” being a bad word – but that’s history now, I suppose. I mean, what do we have on the cabinet of the United States? The “Professional Assistant of Defense?”
Sometimes we go too far with all this word-smithing. Of course we should be conscious about words and expressions that crept into our language that may be les than flattering to certain people around us. But we seem simultaneously eager to avoid use of certain words and at the same time use the PC terms to slander and belittle people. Does that make sense to anyone? I grew up as a kraut. Both my parents came from Germany before I was born. I’m proud of my heritage as I assume most people are. I’m also aware of the fact that in the 50’s it was still too close to WWII for families to appreciate anything German. Somehow I survived.
The sad part is that we tend to force these terms on society through the schools. Exactly what is a “disenfranchised student?” The word means “to deprive of voting privileges.” What voting rights do students have? For that matter what voting rights do some students have that others don’t? We stretch the language and twist it to make it mean things that were never intended.
Not to loose the moment, I want to thank those people who work tirelessly (well some do get tired, I suppose) to type, file, spell-check (VERY important), and generally keep the rest of us in line. You could call them “work-place-mommies” for the amount of support and effort that is performed. I, for one, appreciate it very much. So enjoy the day! You’ve earned it. Whatever it’s called.
And, I’m not phat! I simply have an alcohol enriched torso.
posted by genebko at
7:10 AM
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